It is in my nature, if I can talk as the Finance Minister, to try to seek resolve to an issue. My personality does not lend itself well to delaying, and my desire is to negotiate an arrangement with our brothers in the union. The problem is, frankly Mr. Speaker, that we are now into a legal, I do not know if battle is the appropriate word, situation and that has to move forward in an orderly way. I would suggest to you that this could be a long, drawn out issue. It is certainly not my desire, but that is where we have ended up. It will be an expensive exercise for all parties and, at the end of the day, what do we accomplish? There was, I thought, in the previous government some arrangement, but for whatever reason, it did not come to fruition. It certainly would be my desire to see an agreement reached, but it has to be equitable and I repeat again, affordable. There is an affordability issue out there. So when we move forward in relationship to the leave to appeal, this will be, if it is granted, a long drawn out costly process for everybody.
John Todd on Question 490-13(4): Pay Equity
In the Legislative Assembly on May 29th, 1997. See this statement in context.
Further Return To Question 490-13(4): Pay Equity
Question 490-13(4): Pay Equity
Item 6: Oral Questions
May 28th, 1997
Page 1200
John Todd Keewatin Central
See context to find out what was said next.